9 minute read
Congratulations Graduates
by Peel, Inc.
Congratulations
TO GRADUATES EVERYWHERE
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On behalf of your loving families who have nurtured you, our CyFair faculty and staff who have encouraged you, the churches who have uplifted you, and our local businesses who have recognized and supported your determination, Peel, Inc. and the Fairfield Community Gazette are excited to recognize and share your accomplishments. You are our superstars! We send you forth on the wings of love.
Peel, Inc. thanks Thomas Coffman of Coffman Photography for contributing our cover photo. Pictured on the cover are Fairfield residents Lauren Loftin and her mother, Desirae.
Abbey Faggard is a 2022 summa cum laude graduate of Bridgeland High School. She also attended Keith Elementary and Salyards Middle School. She was a fouryear varsity tennis player where she was an All-District player, Regional Qualifier, and in her senior year, a State Qualifier. She was also a member of National Honor Society and HOSA (a student organization that provides professional healthcare and skill development for students of all ages) where she was a 2x State Competition Qualifier. She will be attending the University of Mary HardinBaylor, where she will play collegiate tennis and pursue a career in nursing/physician’s assistant.
Alex Venkatesan is graduating from Bridgeland High School. He holds the title of 2nd Lieutenant in ROTC. He's also been active in photography, winning many competitions. Alex plans on attending Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. He will pursue a career in aeronautical science to become a commercial airline pilot.
Ben Birbeck is a 2022 graduate of Bridgeland High School. He was a track/field team member in 9th and 10th grades and played on the football team for four years. Ben's senior year, he earned First Team All-District Linebacker, Academic All-District, and Defense MVP Player of the Year. In his spare time, he enjoys working out with his friends. He will be attending Texas Tech in the fall, majoring in business. Brendan Roberts graduated from Bridgeland High School with summa cum laude and National Honor Society honors. He ran cross country all four years and track for three, and was also a four-year member of the choir. He will be heading to Auburn University in the fall to study business.
Caleb Tanner Fattig is a 2022 Bridgeland High School graduate. He played football for 13 years. In his final year at Bridgeland, he served as captain of his football team and held the position of starting linebacker for the Bridgeland Bears defense. Caleb was also selected to the Second-team All-District football team and received the Academic AllState Award and Academic All-District Award. Caleb's hobbies are weightlifting and playing basketball with friends. He is a member of Second Baptist Church, Cypress campus. Next year, Caleb will attend the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, AR, majoring in biology with aspirations to be a dentist.
Cassidy Caroline Graham, a 2022 Bridgeland graduate, will continue her academics, athletic track, and crosscountry skills at Texas A&M University. Cassidy played soccer for many years with Dynamos Soccer Club and for the Bridgeland Girls Soccer Team during her first year of high school. Cassidy was fortunate enough to reach UIL 6A State Level Competition four times throughout high school.
Brady Forcey is a 2022 graduate of Bridgeland High School. After graduation, he will attend Tarleton State. While at Tarleton, he will study construction science and be a TSU Corps of Cadets member.
Braden Ross, Bridgeland High School graduate, was a football, cross country, and track and field team member. He is part of the Coast Guard Auxiliary in Galveston, TX, and has plans to pursue a degree in maritime business starting at Lonestar College and then transferring to Texas A&M Galveston. Chase Witthaus is a Bridgeland High graduate who grew up playing baseball, football, and basketball and got his start in sports through Fairfield Sports Association. At 13, he was diagnosed with an Anomalous Coronary Artery and had open-heart surgery to repair his heart. Four weeks following the surgery, he started high school and was determined to work his way back on to the football team. This year he was a part of the Bridgeland High School football team that went to the playoffs. He is strong, courageous, and a hard worker; his first job was working at the concession stand, then he moved on to work at HEB.
David Graham will continue his academics at Texas Tech University, studying media and communication. David loves to follow sports. He has played soccer for many years with Dynamos Soccer Club and also for the Bridgeland Boys Soccer Team during his Freshman year of high school. David ran Varsity Cross Country and Track for Bridgeland HS.
Emmanuel Pierre Blanks, class of 2022 Bridgeland High School, has committed to University of Mary Hardin Baylor in Belton, TX. He plans to seek a degree in music with a concentration in music business. His notable accomplishments are being choir member for three years in the tenor bass choir and a choir officer for one year. Over the last six years, he has run the audiovisual equipment for services at church. He is a member of the youth worship team, is a past church committee member as a youth representative, attends youth service projects, and hosts a Vacation Bible School class each summer. He is a past member of FCA, Boy Scouts of America, and Key Club.
Graham Gillespie will be attending The University of Texas at Austin, pursuing a degree in physical culture and sports in the College of Education. He will also be a member of the football team. Graham earned many district and state academic and athletic accolades. He had 88 tackles, nine interceptions, seven tackles for loss, and 13 pass breakups his senior year. He was also a member of the National Honor Society at Bridgeland.
Joshua Cook is a home school graduate who has been working this past year while finishing his senior year. He will continue to work while attending Lone Star to get his Associate's Degree and then move into history/economics/ business. Joshua's hobbies are gaming, learning about history, and spending time with family. Maggie Lucas was a 2019 graduate of Cy Ranch High School. She received a substantial academic scholarship to attend The University of Alabama, graduating in 2022 summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science double major in finance and economics and a minor in real estate. She is a "Red Cap Grad," Alabama's tradition awarded to students completing their degrees with a 4.0. Several of her honors include serving as a President's List student, as a member of Phi Eta Sigma, Alpha Lambda Delta, Sigma Alpha Lambda, and in Golden Key which are International Honor Societies. She was an active member of her sorority, Phi Mu, serving as assistant treasurer. She will be moving to Dallas, Texas, to begin her career in the commercial real estate investment industry.
Mallorie Garner, a 2022 graduate, will be trading in her Bridgeland orange for the maroon and white of Texas A&M University as a third-generation Aggie. She was admitted into the Mays Business School and has chosen not to pursue volleyball at the collegiate level. Still, she closed out a fantastic eight-year career helping to lead her Bridgeland Bears to the 6A State Semi-Finals for the first time in school history. Her remarkable season earned her many accolades, including making the State All-Tournament Team, Houston Chronicle All-Greater Houston Volleyball Player of the Year, and Academic AllState. Mallorie actively participated in NHS, NCL, PALS, Claw Crew, FCA, and club volleyball.
Mary Claire Sarandos graduated summa cum laude from Bridgeland High School. She is involved in many activities, including the National Honor Society, Key Club, and Mu Alpha Theta National Math Honor Society. As a member of the award-winning Bridgeland Band, she was also clarinet section leader. Mary Claire enjoys volunteering in the community and working as a Cypress Academy of Gymnastics coach. She will attend Stephen F. Austin State University and obtain a master's degree as an early childhood education specialist.
Joshua Vasek, a 2022 Bridgeland High School graduate, has been accepted into the Mays Business School at Texas A&M. He is an Eagle Scout, a member of the National Honor Society, and a tuba player in the first band. After many years of hard work and dedication, he will graduate in the top 7% of his class.
Kade Boone has spent the last four years of high school being involved in FFA raising rabbits, skateboarding with his dog Bella, hanging with his friends, and being extremely involved in the student ministry at Community of Faith. Kade has also given countless volunteer hours to the Community of Faith special needs ministry and food delivery for Bread of Life downtown ministries. Kade will be pursuing his dream of veterinary medicine.
Kassy Ovelgonne attended Texas Tech. While Kassidy was an active member of Alpha Phi's sorority, she enjoyed working at The Range in Lubbock. Kassidy has accepted a business development position at ISN Software Corporation and is excited to start her career in Dallas, Texas. Kathryn Bethany Thomas graduated cum laude from Baylor University on May 14, 2022, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education in health science studies. Katy will be joining TBarM Camps, Timothy Team, a nondenominational Christian camp, retreat, and conference center with locations in New Braunfels, Texas, and Lake Travis near Austin.
Lauren Loftin is a 2022 graduate of Cy-Ranch High School. She has spent the last three years as a Classic on the drill team. Since 8th grade, she has volunteered at a local summer camp every summer. She enjoys working with young children and plans to pursue a degree in elementary education. Lauren will be attending Texas State University in the fall.
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Mathijs van den Elsen graduated summa cum laude from Bridgeland High School in 2022. He has chosen to attend the Texas A&M PSA program.
Myles Jeter, a 2022 Bridgeland High School graduate, played football and bass in the orchestra all four years at Bridgeland High School. He is excited to head to Sam Houston State University in the fall, where he plans to study psychology to become a mental health counselor. Nick Ulanday, Bridgeland High School class of 2022, served as band president and drum-line captain. He was Homecoming King and a member of the National Honor Society. He will be attending Texas A&M-Mays Business School to study business in the fall.
Noelle Rene' Canterbury is a summa cum laude graduate of Sam Houston State University. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary school education. She attended high school at CyRanch, middle school at Salyards, and elementary school at Ault.
Peyton Guidry was an offensive lineman for the Bridgeland Bears all four high school years. He played offensive tackle, guard, and center, earning his letterman jacket and helping his team win the 6A DIV II Regional Semifinal Championship. He was also named Academic Allstate and maintained a GPA of 6.35. Peyton plans to major in and obtain his Master's in accounting at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Michael DeGroot III, a Bridgeland High School graduate, class of 2022, has been a part of the Debate Team all four years. Michael attended school in Fairfield at Keith Elementary and Salyards Middle School. Michael will be attending Texas Tech University this fall, majoring in computer engineering.